Premiere: Ducati Diavel driving report

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Premiere: Ducati Diavel driving report
Ducati

Premiere: Ducati Diavel

The power cruiser from Ducati in the driving report

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Ducati enters the power cruiser market with the Diavel. Amazing: The macho bike still fits in well with the Italians’ product range.

Amazingly great freedom of lean angle: The new Ducati Diavel.

The whole world is upside down? We have only just got used to the fact that BMW builds superbikes and drives MZ Grand Prix when the next hammer comes from Bologna: the Ducati Diavel. A motorcycle with arm-thick bends, fat rear tires and the wheelbase of a K 1300 R. Not exactly what you would expect from Italian motorcycle construction – even if the brushed aluminum air intakes, but above all the noble carbon fiber parts and the light forged wheels on the carbon Version (3000 euros surcharge) are definitely worthy of a Ducati. This also applies to the chassis.

The mighty 50s Marzocchi fork is fully adjustable, as is the recumbent Sachs shock absorber, noble Brembo monoblocs in conjunction with 320 discs and radial pump ensure sporty deceleration. The standard, switchable ABS comes from the Multistrada 1200 – just like the engine. This was re-tuned for the men’s bike: Ducati gave the 1198 cubic centimeter Testastretta a different exhaust and a larger airbox, increasing the power to 162 hp. More than enough steam to push the Diavel forward, which is astonishingly light at 210 kilograms when dry.

Beautiful detailed solutions: the brushed aluminum air inlets and the filigree indicators.

On the electronic side, there are three driving modes to choose from: a sport mode with full power, direct response and traction control that regulates late (level 3 of 8), a touring mode with softer power and more defensive traction control (level 4), and urban mode , which only calls up 100 horsepower and allows even less slip (TC level 5).

Also known from the Multistrada are the e-gas and the transponder ignition key, which can remain in your pocket while driving. In addition to the unique look, a mixture of athlete, naked and custom bike, some of the detailed solutions of the Diavel particularly stand out. The most striking thing is the divided cockpit: the upper display shows the revs, speed and time, the lower one shows off a veritable flood of information and offers a real small color monitor for the first time in motorcycle construction.

Thanks to its rich torque, the Diavel is also suitable for shows.

There is also something extravagant for the pillion passenger: the filigree footrests are hidden under the rear and can be folded out together with the carrier, the handle at the rear can also be extended. Even the pilot of the Diavel sits unfamiliar. Narrow knees, far to the front, high pegs, plus a wide handlebar far away from the driver. Not uncomfortable, but, well, unfamiliar. The Testastretta’s appearance, on the other hand, is confident as usual. As in the Multistrada and the 1198, the engine pushes brutally forward from 2500 rpm and hangs powerfully on the gas. Fortunately, the load changes are very low even in Sport mode, which actually makes touring mode superfluous. The traction control intervenes surprisingly often under the pressure of the two-cylinder at the corner exit and causes nasty jerking.

It has to be a bit of sport: The Brembo Monoblocs come from the 1198.

The ABS regulates very early – it wouldn’t even need to be. The Pirelli Diablo Rosso II offers a lot of grip and is also suitable for sporty braking maneuvers. Pirelli developed a 17-inch rear tire in the ultra-wide format 240/45 especially for the Diavel. A good choice! The Diavel remains completely calm on bumps in the slope and only stands up slightly when braking.

In addition, the thick slipper falls surprisingly easily in an inclined position, but requires a little pull on the handlebars to stay on course. In conjunction with the well-coordinated chassis and the astonishingly large freedom from lean angles, the Diavel is also really fun on sporty country road tours. That turns the world upside down – the powerding is really sporty and really cool.

PS JUDGMENT:

The Diavel drives more sportily than its appearance would suggest. The handling is particularly surprising in view of the 240 rear tire. The pimped Testastretta from the Multistrada hangs softly and powerfully on the gas, puts you in a good mood in the middle speed range and fits the character of the Italian perfectly. It remains to be seen who this completely new thing addresses directly.

Other power bikes in the test: BMW S 1000 RR, Kawasaki ZZR 1400 and Yamaha Vmax

Technical specifications

The Diavel is the first motorcycle to have a color TFT display.

Technical data: Ducati Diavel

Drive: Two-cylinder 90 degree V engine, 4 valves / cylinder, 119 kW (162 PS) at 9500 / min, 128 Nm at 8000 / min, 1198 cm3, bore / stroke: 106.0 / 67.9 mm, compression : 11.5: 1, ignition / injection system, 64 mm throttle valves, hydraulically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, chain, G-Kat

Landing gear: Steel tubular space frame, steering head angle: 62 degrees, caster: 120 mm, wheelbase: 1590 mm, inner fork tube Ø: 50 mm, spring travel from / h .: 120/120 mm

Wheels and brakes: Light alloy / cast forged wheels 3.50 x 17 “/ 8.00 x 17”, front tires: 120/70 ZR 17, rear: 240/45 ZR 17, 320 mm double disc brakes with radially attached four-piston fixed calipers at the front, 265 mm Single disc with two-piston floating caliper at the rear

Weight: (dry) 210 kg *, tank capacity: 17 liters super

Base price: from 16,690 euros (plus ancillary costs)

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